THROUGH THE EYES OF STUDENTS: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ' PERSPECTIVES ON CHARACTER EDUCATION.

The heightened interest in schools contributing to the formation of character through character education has surfaced as a national dialogue. This study examines the students’ perspective and understanding of a character education program implemented at their high school. Findings based on interviews with 144 high school students describe the students’ perspectives regarding the need for character education, program effectiveness, student and teacher resistance, pedagogical issues and concerns, and suggestions as to what works. Based on these findings, suggestions are made as to how administrators and teachers can utilize their students’ perspectives in order to better implement and improve character education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]